I'm in, I can't tell you how surprised I was when I found out several weeks ago that the Chicago Marathon forum was filled with people not running the race. However, everyone here has been great and have provided me tremendous support for my first marathon. My panic over the difficulty of hot summer rums has been replaced by confidence as I breeze through the cool autumn air. I remember how the last two miles of my first 16 mile run was a death march, whereas yesterday I cranked up the last two miles of my final long run before the big day. So I am ready and I just have to work on the rested part to be fully ready to go.

I had 11 planned for yesterday, but bailed after 8, which included some walking the last 2 miles. Could have been a few things, but I think it was primarily my body telling me I needed a cut-back. My mileage is still low, but I will have run as much in September as July and August combined, plus I've added speed work. I have 5 planned for today, but decided I needed the sleep so will get that in at lunch time.

ra - now you tell me not to move! We sold our house on Saturday, after just putting it on the market last Monday. Had two offers. Now the packing starts in earnest. The timing should work out so we only have to move once, not twice like you. We are only moving 4 miles, but WILL hire movers for the big stuff.

mdawg - what an eventful few days for you. Sorry to hear about your aunt. Welcome home, congrats on the big win Saturday, and happy birthday!

taylor - sorry the race did not go as well as you had hoped. Great attitude though in enjoying the second half! Yes, the mental part of the marathon is harder than the physical, IMHO. Something I need to work on big time.

morgan - sorry to hear you are sick, but good work on your 16 in spite of it!

maureen - glad to hear you are feeling 100%! I am looking forward to hearing the results of your pizza taste test!

rd - did anyone get arrested for the slaughtering of the Eagles? Your boys are looking pretty tough so far. Did you ever think that you'd be saying sub-3 is your 'B' goal?

ebunny - yes, take care of that hammy! Good call not pushing it over the weekend.

maps - is fall tennis going on? Any shorter races in your plans?

badger - how'd the 40 go? No Chicago for me this year either, but I have a half planned the week after.

I'm in, I can't tell you how surprised I was when I found out several weeks ago that the Chicago Marathon forum was filled with people not running the race. However, everyone here has been great and have provided me tremendous support for my first marathon. My panic over the difficulty of hot summer rums has been replaced by confidence as I breeze through the cool autumn air. I remember how the last two miles of my first 16 mile run was a death march, whereas yesterday I cranked up the last two miles of my final long run before the big day. So I am ready and I just have to work on the rested part to be fully ready to go.

Exactly the reason I asked the moderators to name it the Chicago forum versus the the Chicago marathon forum. Of course, they ignored me. What a shock.

Would like some advice on base building for Boston. I'm planning on using Hansons advanced plan from their book. I used the beginner plan for Lehigh and it really agreed with me. The differences are...

1. More quality work in the advanced plan (it starts sooner than in the beginner plan)

2. Advanced peaks at 63mpw while beginner peaks at 57 mpw.

3. More miles total in advanced plan, but not sure how many. The difference is mostly in the easy runs.

Right now I'm at 30-35 mpw...all easy. I was thinking of building to 50 mpw over the winter. I built to 40-45 mpw for the Lehigh MRT cycle. Thoughts?

Would like some advice on base building for Boston. I'm planning on using Hansons advanced plan from their book. I used the beginner plan for Lehigh and it really agreed with me. The differences are...

1. More quality work in the advanced plan (it starts sooner than in the beginner plan)

2. Advanced peaks at 63mpw while beginner peaks at 57 mpw.

3. More miles total in advanced plan, but not sure how many. The difference is mostly in the easy runs.

Right now I'm at 30-35 mpw...all easy. I was thinking of building to 50 mpw over the winter. I built to 40-45 mpw for the Lehigh MRT cycle. Thoughts?

I do as many 40 mile runs as possble. It make 26 miles seem easy. :end of training plan:

Dawg - that sounds about right to me. Hopefully you take a least a few more weeks easy / off plan though before starting the base buiding ? I've been guilty of going marathon plan, to marathon plan, to marathon plan - your body will thank you for some off-plan time too. Boston is still 30 ish weeks away.

JMH - smart plan ! Yes, our Donkeys look good, especially when you consider our 2 best defensive guys haven't played yet. We get to play the Chiefs twice, and New England - so we'll see how that all goes. And yes - sub 3 as a 'B goal' - nope - never...

I'm in. No marathon madness for me yet. More pre-harvest madness. This is always a very stressful time of year. Now that we have sold our hog business and just raising corn our entire income for the year will be based on a 3 week time frame of harvest. (it will take longer then 3 weeks to harvest but I figure I need ~ 20 twelve hour days to harvest). I hope to take some moisture samples later today to get an idea if the corn is ready to harvest.

badger- think there is still time to get one of those 40 mile thingies in before 10/13?

H2H- gotta love those fried food and beer weekends.

morgan -I agree this forum has been great for helping us first time Chicago runners while at the same time avoiding all the other **** that goes on with the other forums.

mdawg- nice win for the dawgs this weekend. I like it when the SEC beats up on each other. Now someone just needs to beat Alabama.

jmhubba - it is always nice when the arrow is pointing up not down.

RA- how much do you taper?

15.5 yesterday with some pickups and a SRD today. Even though harvest will be starting I hope to do more during this 3 weeks prior to a marathon then I have ever done in the past. It may be close to doing more during this 3 week period then I have done in my 4 previous marathon taper total.

taylormade household is finally getting our treadmill fixed today from the spring floods. DW doesn't like to walk in the dark before work and I will likely use it in the evenings after a day sitting in the combine.

mdawg-hope you have a smooth transition back to work. That sounds like a good plan to me. I will probably do something similar base-building wise this winter. Not sure what my spring marathon will be yet though

RA-staying with the in-laws for a few weeks! Hope it's not too bad and hope you are not too sore today from moving

I actually ran this morning and am feeling pretty great now. Did a very easy and slow 3 or so miles. Didn't even bring the watch out, and now my legs feel a ton better. I might look into another marathon this year, or I might just wait til spring and do some good base building these next few months

Mdawg: Happy Birthday! Don't know about Hanson's but here is what I tried to do this year with the Pfitz plan. Goal to use the Pfitz 18/70. When I needed to build up a base this spring/early summer, I used the first 9 weeks of the 18/55 plan. It took me from 33 mpw to 54 mpw. It also had the various weekly Tempo or MP runs and it gradually built up my Long run. Then I was able to hit the ground running when I started the 18/70 plan which starts at 54 mpw.

During the build up, I wasn't concerned about always hitting my tempo or mp paces. But I did like the fact that I was doing some form of the work. I was also hoping to avoid burnout.

Mdawg: most people scoff at it, but I used the rw smartcoach for base building. I basically fictionalized a goal date and then plugged in my current mileage. I ignored the recommended paces, but I used the schedule of speedwork and long runs. Nothing fancy, just one day a week of speedwork or tempo, and one long run. Most of the easy days were even mileage, not a lot of fluctuating. I wouldn't use it for an actual plan, but it got the job done for base. I went from mid 30s to high 50s. I had to tweak s little when I switched to 6 days per week, but I don't think a base schedule needs to be too rigorously adhered to. One thing I would add in hindsight is one day with true speed focus (I.e. 100 m strides, all out, between 6 and 8 reps). I went from a higdon runner in january to a pfitz 18/70 in the summer, without injury, so I must have done something right.

Morning, did my easy 5 miles today, big mental switch from yesterdays 13.1, and yes I actually ran in circles for a little while at the end to make it an even .1. The temps were in the upper 50's again for the run. I've had more than a few of those, still wearing my shorts and short sleeves, I am really starting to like that. Starts out cold for the first mile, but then the run is so much better, I run faster. Too bad Chicago won't be a dark 55 degree race. I excel at those.

Mdawg - I was tempted to start a thread early called "Mental Mondailies" as in I get mental too often. Manic is another one of my folley's, I can relate.

RA - Have a nice easy 7. Hope the madness abates somewhat, at least on the run

Badger - "M" is for marathon.

Hi Maps!

Morgan - it's been my first training cycle over the summer, prepping for a fall marathon. Very different experience from a spring marathon training.

Jmhubba - I thought I would sleep in today too, but suddenly there I was, awake at 4:25 AM, so I just got up and did it. It is nice that the afternoons are an option now that temps have dipped though. Pizza parties are set for 10/8, a Tuesday. We will have official ballots Malnatis vs Giordanos. Everyone that partakes of the pizza has to wish me luck too, I'm in it for the mojo from the well wishers that I bought all that pizza for

Mdawg - I'm in the same boat, Hanson's? Pfitz? My coach? Yasso? I really liked the 60 MPW max, it had 2 speedwork sessions, and total mileage was not as much as the 18/70. I went from a 40 - 45 MPW max and jumped into the 18/70. We had 3 weeks of 70, 4 weeks over 60, 5 weeks over 50, so the total mileage was a lot, along with speed sessions. I bit off more than I could chew. I'll see how Yasso worked out for Chicago and consider more what I want to do for Boston.

H2H - now having a weekend full of beer and fish could lead to a craptastic LR. If you had a lack of sleep too then you would be primed for that event. I find my best training is when I don't vary my routine too much, same food, same sleep hours, same basic everything and then run with a plan.

RD - That would be a nice long and descriptive title. Good luck with your A goal, it's always a good day when you achieve one of those. If you are injury free and running strong there's nothing holding you back.

TaylormadeRW - That is a lot of stress, having it all boil down to those 3 weeks. Make or break time. Hope your moisture tests come out well. Maybe it will be better if you are a little off cycle from the other harvesters.

Taylmorma1 - I like the shake out runs after a marathon, the hard work is over and it's all just for fun.

So we have Mini, Morgan, Maureen, Mfam and Darth, Taylormade, or shall I say Marth or Maylortade?

Not sure if I will pick up my number or not. I did not for Fox Valley, though I could have used the shirt as a toss away. Not sure it's worth the hassle and expense of driving to the Expo vs all the other money that I've spent not running races this year. I do not like Expos, despite the shopping potential! My goal race is now the Diva Half in December with Maureen where I plan to have as much fun as possible while wearing a boa and tiara. I do plan however, to dig up a half plan somewhere and get back on track and then start Boston training after the half.

Mdawg: Your plan worked well for Lehigh! Not sure how many hills you incorporated for Lehigh, but given that you live in a hilly area, Boston hills will not be an issue. What do you have between now and then?

jmhubba: Congrats on the quick sale! That is great! Just once a week tennis, which is the cause of my hip flare up, I've decided, as we've been working on a lot of overhead smashes and the twisting is unpleasant.

Ebunny: How is the hammy today? I think your resting plan sounds smart.

Maureen: Did you ever get the Kia? We did trade the van for a used car for DS and now are looking at small SUVs, including the small Honda. Will be driving it later.

mdawg - Happy Birthday! Looking good at 29. As RD noted, Boston is a ways off so keep the miles lower for the next couple of weeks then build to be near your week 1 mileage and hold that for a few weeks. My bet is that it'll be in the 40-45 range. Throw in a few strides on one run, or do a loosey goosey fartlek, as you get closer to the start of your plan - should help your body transition from easy runs to the inclusion of intense speed work. I think Darth mentioned something on those lines.

Taylormade - My marathon in on Nov 2nd. Since my volume has been a lot lower than I'd originally (pie in the sky) planned a 2 week taper is likely.

Taylor - In-laws are going in vacation in a week so it could be worse...

H2H - my back is fine but just tired overall. Mostly from being on my feet all day.

jmh - great news with the house! For a single move, movers are the way to go. I was simply avoiding the double move + storage, which seemed to almost triple the pricing.

Badger - you ran 40 miles THEN helped someone move?

RD - I think you'll struggle to a crappy 2:59.59

Morgan - most of us have run Chicago 1 or more times and just stayed around here. I've done it 3 times (2008, 2009, 2010). The weather makes a massive difference. For me, I can suffer through a 5k in hot and humid conditions but beyond that it's a downward spiral. Anything over 60F in a marathon and I'm screwed.especially if it's sunny. I just overheat and then I'm done. Boston this year was thankfully OK due to a headwind.

Events are conspiring against me today. DD decided to puke, a lot, earlier so is not in preschool. Odd, she's puked twice this year, which is more than the last 3 years. So, I'm taking a quick break from work while everyone is at a wake. May be a TM run (in-laws have one they never use) on a beautiful day...

Maps: I'm going to run a couple of HMs. Hopefully one in late fall (late Nov-early Dec) and one in late winter (late Feb-early Mar). Just gotta decide which races. The hills around here, from what I've heard Atlanta based Boston veterans say, are more difficult than anything at Boston. It's the placement of the hills at Boston and the down hill in the early miles that can cause trouble.

Maps - I still have "purchase crossover" on my todo list. DD is a Sophomore at UCSB and will inherit the minivan, it will be useful for moving stuff around as well as getting back and forth to SD. She is prodding away, she has set a deadline for me to purchase the new vehicle, I have the month of October. It's nice to have a "doer" in the family, I could procrastinate forever.

Got my 5er in. First 4 miles were fine but the fatigue hit me in the fifth. Something's not right. Hopefully SRD tomorrow will help.

I forgot to mention earlier that DD2 had her "race" yesterday. She was pumped for it, and had a blast! Those 2-4 year olds had a lot of determination on their faces as they sprinted their 50 yards. DD1 is in week 3 of training for our half at Disney in January, but DW hasn't started her training yet for our 10K.

I am in! Still popping in here periodically to check on everyone's progress...

Feeling good about my pre-taper training, but late last week I caught the head cold from hell. Had to bail 6 miles into my 12-miler on Saturday, and the 5 I had planned for Sunday had no chance of happening. Hopefully I will be able to hop back on the horse this evening. I know missing miles at this point is not a make-or-break factor, but incompleteness annoys me - especially since the weather the past few days has been made for running, and I've been unable to move.

I so enjoy reading all your posts. It's SO MUCH MORE than a marathon board and I love it!

Morgan- I was thinking the same thing right before you posted- that the majority on this thread are not running Chicago this year. The funny thing is several are not only not running, but don't even live near Chicago, I being one of them! LOL! I ran it last year, and after, just couldn't part permanent ways- I keep coming back. Just a great group of fellow runners on here in general and it's hard to leave to leave.

JMH- Wow, fantastic that you sold your house so quickly! Maybe you can take some notes from RA on the moving. PF leaving you alone?

Maureen- I must have missed the day about the pizza contests. Are you making pizzas and having some sort of cook off? I'd love to get in on the taste test!

Mdawg- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! You should strongly consider running the Publix halfin Atlanta in March. It is 4 weeks and 2 days from Boston and I think it was a great spacing prior to Boston. That is the plan as of now for me. It is around 1200-1300 ft of climb and the hills STINK, but it definitely helps the hills in Boston seem like baby mounds. Well, not really given where they land on the course, but I remember thinking, "What? They're done???" That was a great feeling....And then 2 miles later, the feeling in my legs were gone, so no more great feeling. LOL

MAPS- DS has a car now, huh? Woah. Big stuff. My DS's best friend turned 15 yesterday and will be getting his permit soon. Luckily, my son is 8 months behind him. I can't believe it's that soon in the future.

Darth- I used Smartcoach for my 2nd and 3rd marathons, both gave me BQ's. I had used Higdon for my first and then found Smartcoach. Using them was the first time I'd ever done any type of speedwork so it was a good introductory to it. Boston was my 4th marathon and I sort of wrote my own plan mixing smartcoach with Higdon. This time I'm very loosely using Pfitz 18/55 to train for my Nov marathon. I think that sounds like a great idea using Smartcoach as the base mile build-up plan. Only problem is RW discontinued the free version! I wish they still had it! I loved being able to type in my goal MP and it spitting out the paces I need to do for each training run to get up to that goal.

H2H- fried fish and beer sounds AWESOME. I had steamed fish and water last night. Yours sounds a HECK of a lot better.

Taylor- WOW! Super impressed you were able to get out there and run 3 miles today! That right there is the difference between your young body and my 44 year old one. That would never, ever be able to happen for me after a marathon.

Taylormade-I second what Maureen said- I'm sure there is some stress with everything coming down to 3 weeks of harvest. Here's hoping for a successful and lucrative one!

Badger- Do you mix road running in with your trail running on a regular basis or just when you start getting closer to Boston?

RD- hope your noodley arm work goes well.

RA- Rest up- 2 weeks will be here before you know if for round 2.

Me- After having a total rest day yesterday, I taught step class this morning. I could feel the hamstring during a few different exercises, but for the most part, it felt ok. Soooooo, I decided to get on the treadmill (said in a very small voice). I know I probably shouldn't have, but it was calling to me. I started at .5 incline, 10 min pace- felt ok, by 1 mi I was at 1% incl and 9:13. At mile 2 brought it to 9:05, then to 8:57. Kept it there and ended up going 5 miles. I felt NOTHING until around mile 3.5 and honestly it wasn't anything other then it feeling a little tired. I'm THRILLED. I know it was only 5 miles (plan called for 8), but all things considered.... I will not run tomorrow and Wednesday will skip my speed work and just do easy miles. I know it was the right decision to skip the 20 this weekend but I'm such a stubborn fool.

badger- think there is still time to get one of those 40 mile thingies in before 10/13?

There is always time. We are doing a night run Friday night. Starting at 7pm-ending at 1am (officially). However, we can stay and run all night to get your 40 miles in, if you desire. We have a permit to park all night. While some people may think I'm kidding, I can assure you the above facts are 100% accurate. Maps can confirm. See you Friday night!

Ebunny - Hey I have a 15 YO DS as well. He is already starting in about the day he can get his permit. It's a big step.

The pizza contest will be conducted by college students. I am having Pizza delivered, from Chicago, from Giordano and Lou Malnati. Both will ship the half baked version. You follow the steps to finish baking. There will be a taste test of the same style pizza, i.e. cheese pizza from one and then the other.

I'm trying to decide if college kids will be better judges or worse judges. Perhaps their palates are not as refined yet. And if they drink beer with it then all may be lost!

Sorry, missed the "who's in" part of this thread. I'm running the race. 34th Birthday celebration. Most people don't realize that October 13 marks the anniversary of the single most important day in the history of the law.

Week 2 of my taper began this AM with an easy 6. Also have a 5, a 7 (with some speedwork), and a 10 on tap this week. Will do some swimming and a little bit of biking too this week but this is the week I'll be backing off on that.

On Friday, my race day shoes arrived and I tested them out on this morning's run.

Would like some advice on base building for Boston. I'm planning on using Hansons advanced plan from their book. I used the beginner plan for Lehigh and it really agreed with me. The differences are...

1. More quality work in the advanced plan (it starts sooner than in the beginner plan)

2. Advanced peaks at 63mpw while beginner peaks at 57 mpw.

3. More miles total in advanced plan, but not sure how many. The difference is mostly in the easy runs.

Right now I'm at 30-35 mpw...all easy. I was thinking of building to 50 mpw over the winter. I built to 40-45 mpw for the Lehigh MRT cycle. Thoughts?

I do as many 40 mile runs as possble. It make 26 miles seem easy. :end of training plan: